[Distal pedicled sural island flap-plasty for defect coverage of the distal lower extremity]

Soft tissue defects on the distal lower extremity often need extended reconstructive procedures, especially if tendinous, articular, or bony structures are exposed. The use of local flaps in the perimalleolar, pretibial and calcaneal area is limited, often free tissue transfer is required. The distally based sural island flap is a pedicled soft-tissue flap on the vascular axis of the sural nerve. It can be raised as a fasciocutaneous or a lipofascial flap. We report our experience of 16 cases, nine of these cases in the lipofascial technique. The aim of soft tissue coverage was reached in 15 cases. In one patient a partial necrosis of the flap occurred requiring a reoperation with free flap coverage. The main advantages of the technique are the extended arc of rotation in the problematic area of the ankle and the lower extremity, the easy and fast preparation and the stable flap perfusion. The lipofascial as well as the fasciocutaneous flap have some risk of loss or donor-site morbidity that can be avoided by adhering strictly to certain operative principles.